The 2016 Malescot-St-Exupery, a Bordeaux Blend from the Margaux sub-region of Bordeaux, France, represents a standout vintage from the producer Malescot-St-Exupery. This wine is composed of 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 37% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, and 2% Petit Verdot, and it has an alcohol content of 13.5%. The wine was harvested from October 1 to October 25, and the Grand Vin represents 72% of the harvest.
Jeff Leve of TheWineCellarInsider.com awarded this wine a score of 95, praising its complexity and depth. "Blackberry liqueur, boysenberry, espresso bean, and dark chocolate over black cherry open up the nose. Fat, titillating, deep, and lavish, this wine is ambrosial, powerful, and mouth-filling," he noted. Leve highlighted the wine's fresh finish, packed with ripe, sweet, and juicy dark red fruits.
Lisa Perrotti-Brown of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also gave the wine a score of 95. She described it as "Medium to deep garnet-purple colored, the 2016 Malescot St. Exupery sings of cassis, fragrant earth, tobacco, and lilacs with a compelling waft of mocha." She emphasized its expressive fruit layers, ripe tannins, and freshness, concluding that it finishes with great length and depth.
James Suckling of jamessuckling.com rated the wine even higher at 97, calling it "A stunning red with currants, blackberries, roses, and violets." He praised its "ultra-fine tannins and polish and finesse to the powerful tannins," suggesting it will be even better starting from 2024.
Jeb Dunnuck gave the wine a score of 96, calling it a "gem in the vintage." He was impressed by its deep purple color and essence of Cabernet bouquet, noting its medium to full-bodied texture and blockbuster finish. Dunnuck believes it deserves 4-5 years of bottle age and will keep for 25-30 years.
Wine Enthusiast provided a score of 94, noting the wine's "fragrant fruit" and "fine backdrop to the juiciness." They suggested it will be a fine medium-term wine.
Wine Spectator rated the wine 93, describing a slow-opening profile with "alder and mesquite notes" and a core of "red currant, blackberry, and plum fruit flavor." They mentioned it will be best from 2022 through 2036.
Decanter also awarded a score of 93, noting its "forward oak edging and attractively smoky fireside notes." They highlighted its monolithic tannins and potential for aging.
Overall, the 2016 Malescot-St-Exupery has received high praise from multiple reviewers, indicating its excellence and potential for long-term aging.